betty zane-第25章

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htin'　is　all　I'm　good　for。〃

〃Why　not　fight　for　her；　then？　Don't　let　one　of　these　boys　walk　off　with　her。　Look　at　her。　She　likes　fun　and　admiration。　I　believe　you　do　care　for　her。　Why　not　try　to　win　her？〃

〃Who　is　that　tall　man　with　her？〃　continued　the　old　lady　as　Wetzel　did　not　answer。　〃There；　they　have　gone　into　the　other　room。　Who　is　he？〃

〃His　name　is　Miller。〃

〃Lewis；　I　don't　like　him。　I　have　been　watching　him　all　evening。　I'm　a　contrary　old　woman；　I　know；　but　I　have　seen　a　good　many　men　in　my　time；　and　his　face　is　not　honest。　He　is　in　love　with　her。　Does　she　care　for　him？〃

〃No；　Betty　doesn't　care　for　Miller。　She's　just　full　of　life　and　fun。〃

〃You　may　be　mistaken。　All　the　Zanes　are　fire　and　brimstone　and　this　girl　is　a　Zane　clear　through。　Go　and　fetch　her　to　me；　Lewis。　I'll　tell　you　if　there's　a　chance　for　you。〃

〃Dear　mother；　perhaps　there's　a　wife　in　Heaven　for　me。　There's　none　on　earth；〃　said　the　hunter；　a　sad　smile　flitting　over　his　calm　face。

Ralfe　Miller；　whose　actions　had　occasioned　the　remarks　of　the　old　lady；　would　have　been　conspicuous　in　any　assembly　of　men。　There　was　something　in　his　dark　face　that　compelled　interest　and　yet　left　the　observer　in　doubt。　His　square　chin；　deep…set　eyes　and　firm　mouth　denoted　a　strong　and　indomitable　will。　He　looked　a　man　whom　it　would　be　dangerous　to　cross。

Little　was　known　of　Miller's　history。　He　hailed　from　Ft。　Pitt；　where　he　had　a　reputation　as　a　good　soldier；　but　a　man　of　morose　and　quarrelsome　disposition。　It　was　whispered　that　he　drank；　and　that　he　had　been　friendly　with　the　renegades　McKee；　Elliott；　and　Girty。　He　had　passed　the　fall　and　winter　at　Ft。　Henry；　serving　on　garrison　duty。　Since　he　had　made　the　acquaintance　of　Betty　he　had　shown　her　all　the　attention　possible。

On　this　night　a　close　observer　would　have　seen　that　Miller　was　laboring　under　some　strong　feeling。　A　half…subdued　fire　gleamed　from　his　dark　eyes。　A　peculiar　nervous　twitching　of　his　nostrils　betrayed　a　poorly　suppressed　excitement。

All　evening　he　followed　Betty　like　a　shadow。　Her　kindness　may　have　encouraged　him。　She　danced　often　with　him　end　showed　a　certain　preference　for　his　society。　Alice　and　Lydia　were　puzzled　by　Betty's　manner。　As　they　were　intimate　friends　they　believed　they　knew　something　of　her　likes　and　dislikes。　Had　not　Betty　told　them　she　did　not　care　for　Mr。　Miller？　What　was　the　meaning　of　the　arch　glances　she　bestowed　upon　him；　if　she　did　not　care　for　him？　To　be　sure；　it　was　nothing　wonderful　for　Betty　to　smile；she　was　always　prodigal　of　her　smilesbut　she　had　never　been　known　to　encourage　any　man。　The　truth　was　that　Betty　had　put　her　new　resolution　into　effect；　to　be　as　merry　and　charming　as　any　fancy…free　maiden　could　possibly　be；　and　the　farthest　removed　from　a　young　lady　pining　for　an　absent　and　indifferent　sweetheart。　To　her　sorrow　Betty　played　her　part　too　well。

Except　to　Wetzel；　whose　keen　eyes　little　escaped；　there　was　no　significance　in　Miller's　hilarity　one　moment　and　sudden　thoughtfulness　the　next。　And　if　there　had　been；　it　would　have　excited　no　comment。　Most　of　the　young　men　had　sampled　some　of　old　Dan's　best　rye　and　their　flushed　faces　and　unusual　spirits　did　not　result　altogether　from　the　exercise　of　the　dance。

After　one　of　the　reels　Miller　led　Betty；　with　whom　be　had　been　dancing；　into　one　of　the　side　rooms。　Round　the　dimly　lighted　room　were　benches　upon　which　were　seated　some　of　the　dancers。　Betty　was　uneasy　in　mind　and　now　wished　that　she　had　remained　at　home。　They　had　exchanged　several　commonplace　remarks　when　the　music　struck　up　and　Betty　rose　quickly　to　her　feet。

〃See；　the　others　have　gone。　Let　us　return；〃　she　said。

〃Wait；〃　said　Miller　hurriedly。　〃Do　not　go　just　yet。　I　wish　to　speak　to　you。　I　have　asked　you　many　times　if　you　will　marry　me。　Now　I　ask　you　again。〃

〃Mr。　Miller；　I　thanked　you　and　begged　you　not　to　cause　us　both　pain　by　again　referring　to　that　subject；〃　answered　Betty　with　dignity。　〃If　you　will　persist　in　bringing　it　up　we　cannot　be　friends　any　longer。〃

〃Wait；　please　wait。　I　have　told　you　that　I　will　not　take　'No'　for　an　answer。　I　love　you　with　all　my　heart　and　soul　and　I　cannot　give　you　up。〃

His　voice　was　low　and　hoarse　and　thrilled　with　a　strong　man's　passion。　Betty　looked　up　into　his　face　and　tears　of　compassion　filled　her　eyes。　Her　heart　softened　to　this　man；　and　her　conscience　gave　her　a　little　twinge　of　remorse。　Could　she　not　have　averted　all　this？　No　doubt　she　had　been　much　to　blame；　and　this　thought　made　her　voice　very　low　and　sweet　as　she　answered　him。

〃I　like　you　as　a　friend；　Mr。　Miller；　but　we　can　never　be　more　than　friends。　I　am　very　sorry　for　you；　and　angry　with　myself　that　I　did　not　try　to　help　you　instead　of　making　it　worse。　Please　do　not　speak　of　this　again。　Come；　let　us　join　the　others。〃

They　were　quite　alone　in　the　room。　As　Betty　finished　speaking　and　started　for　the　door　Miller　intercepted　her。　She　recoiled　in　alarm　from　his　white　face。

〃No；　you　don't　go　yet。　I　won't　give　you　up　so　easily。　No　woman　can　play　fast　and　loose　with　me！　Do　you　understand？　What　have　you　meant　all　this　winter？　You　encouraged　me。　You　know　you　did；〃　he　cried　passionately。

〃I　thought　you　were　a　gentleman。　I　have　really　taken　the　trouble　to　defend　you　against　persons　who　evidently　were　not　misled　as　to　your　real　nature。　I　will　not　listen　to　you；〃　said　Betty　coldly。　She　turned　away　from　him；　all　her　softened　feeling　changed　to　scorn。

〃You　shall　listen　to　me；〃　he　whispered　as　he　grasped　her　wrist　and　pulled　her　backward。　All　the　man's　brutal　passion　had　been　aroused。　The　fierce　border　blood　boiled　within　his　heart。　Unmasked　he　showed　himself　in　his　true　colors　a　frontier　desperado。　His　eyes　gleamed　dark　and　lurid　beneath　his　bent　brows　and　a　short；　desperate　laugh　passed　his　lips。

〃I　will　make　you　love　me；　my　proud　beauty。　I　shall　have　you　yet；　one　way　or　another。〃

〃Let　me　go。　How　dare　you　touch　me！〃　cried　Betty；　the　hot　blood　coloring　her　face。　She　struck　him　a　stinging　blow　with　her　free　hand　and　struggled　with　all　her　might　to　free　herself；　but　she　was　powerless　in　his　iron　grasp。　Closer　he　drew　her。

〃If　it　costs　me　my　life　I　will　kiss　you　for　that　blow；〃　he　muttered　hoarsely。

〃Oh；　you　coward！　you　ruffian！　Release　me　or　I　will　scream。〃

She　had　opened　her　lips　to　call　for　help　when　she　saw　a　dark　figure　cross　the　threshold。　She　recognized　the　tall　form　of　Wetzel。　The　hunter　stood　still　in　the　doorway　for　a　second　and　then　with　the　swiftness　of　light　he　sprang　forward。　The　single　straightening　of　his　arm　sent　Miller　backward　over　a　bench　to　the　floor　with　a　crashing　sound。　Miller　rose　with　some　difficulty　and　stood　with　one　hand　to　his　head。

〃Lew；　don't　draw　your　knife；〃　cried　Betty　as　she　saw　Wetzel's　hand　go　inside　his　hunting　shirt。　She　had　thrown　herself　in　front　of　him　as　Miller　got　to　his　feet。　With　both　little　hands　she　clung　to　the　brawny　arm　of　the　hunter；　but　she　could　not　stay　it。　Wetzel's　hand　slipped　to　his　belt。

〃For　God's　sake；　Lew；　do　not　kill　him；〃　implored　Betty；　gazing　horror…stricken　at　the　glittering　eyes　of　the　hunter。　〃You　have　punished　him　enough。　He　only　tried　to　kiss　me。　I　was　partly　to　blame。　Put　your　knife　away。　Do　not　shed　blood。　For　my　sake；　Lew；　for　my　sake！〃

When　Betty　found　that　she　could　not　hold　Wetzel's　arm　she　threw　her　arms　round　his　neck　and　clung　to　him　with　all　her　young　strength。　No　doubt　her　action　averted　a　tragedy。　If　Miller　had　been　inclined　to　draw　a　weapon　then　he　might　have　had　a　good　opportunity　to　use　it。　He　had　the　reputation　of　being　quick　with　his　knife；　and　many　of　his　past　fights　testified　that　he　was　not　a　coward。　But　he　made　no　effort　to　attack　Wetzel。　It　was　certain　that　he　measured　with　his　eye　the　distance　to　the　door。　Wetzel　was　not　like　other　men。　Irrespective　of　his　wonderful　strength　and　agility　there　was　something　about　the　Indian　hunter　that　terrified　all　men。　Miller　shrank　before　those　eyes。　He　knew　that　never　in　all　his　life　of　adventure　had　he　been　as　near　death　as　at　that　moment。　There　was　nothing　between　him　and　eternity　but　the　delicate　arms　of　this　frail　girl。　At　a　slight　wave　of　the　hunter's　hand　towards　the　door　he　turned　and　passed　out。

〃Oh；　how　dreadful！〃　cried　Betty；　dropping　upon　a　bench　with　a　sob　of　relief。　〃I　am　glad　you　came　when　you　did　even　though　you　frightened　me　more　than　he　did。　Promise　me　that　you　will　not　do　Miller　any　further　harm。　If　you　had　fought　it　would　all　have　been　on　my　account；　one　or　both　of　you　might　have　been　killed。　Don't　look　at　me　so。　I　do　not　care　for　him。　I　never　did。　Now　that　I　know　him　I　despise　him。　He　lost　his　senses　and　tried　to　kiss　me。　I　could　have　killed　him　myself。〃

Wetzel　did　not　answer。　Betty　had　been　holding　his　hand　in　both　her　own　while　she　spoke　impulsively。

〃I　understand　how　difficult　it　is　for　you　to　overlook　an　insult　to　me；〃　she　continued　earnestly。　〃But　I　ask　it　of　you。　You　are　my　best　friend；　almost　my　brother；　and　I　promise　you　that　if　he　ever　speaks　a　word　to　me　again　that　is　not　what　it　should　be　I　will　tell　you。〃

〃I　reckon　I'll　let　him　go；　considerin'　how　set　on　it　you　are。〃

〃But　remember；　Lew；　that　he　is　revengeful　and　you　must　be　on　the　lookout；〃　said　Betty　gravely　as　she　recalled　the　malignant　gleam　in　Miller's　eyes。

〃He's　dangerous　only　like　a　moccasin　snake　that　hides　in　the　grass。〃

〃Am　I　an　right？　Do　I　look　mussed　oror　excitedor　anything？〃　asked　Betty。

Lewis　smiled　as　she　turned　round　for　his　benefit。　Her　hair　was　a　little　awry　and　the　lace　at　her　neck　disarranged。　The　natural　bloom　had　not　quite　returned　to　her　cheeks。　With　a　look　in　his　eyes　that　would　have　mystified　Betty　for　many　a　day　had　she　but　seen　it　he　ran　his　gaze　over　the　dainty　figure。　Then　reassuring　her　that　she　looked　as　well　as　ever；　he　led　her　into　the　dance…room。

〃So　this　is　Betty　Zane。　Dear　child；　kiss　me；〃　said　Grandmother　Watkins　when　Wetzel　had　brought　Betty　up　to　her。　〃Now；　let　me　get　a　good　look　at　you。　Well；　well；　you　are　a　true　Zane。　Black　hair　and　eyes；　all　fire　and　pride。　Child；　I　knew　your　father　and　mother　long　before　you　were　born。　Your　father　was　a　fine　man　but　a　proud　one。　And　how　do　you　like　the　frontier？　Are　you　enjoying　yourself？〃

〃Oh；　yes；　indeed；〃　said　Betty；　smiling　brightly　at　the　old　lady。

〃Well；　dearie；　have　a　good　time　while　you　can。　Life　is　hard　in　a　pioneer's　cabin。　You　will　not　always　have　the　Colonel　to　look　after　you。　They　tell　me　you　have　been　to　some　grand　school　in　Philadelphia。　Learning　is　very　well；　but　it　will　not　help　you　in　the　cabin　of　one　of　these　rough　men。〃

〃There　is　a　great　need　of　education　in　all　the　pioneers'　homes。　I　have　persuaded　brother　Eb　to　have　a　schoolteacher　at　the　Fort　next　spring。〃

〃First　teach　the　boys　to　plow　and　the　girls　to　make　Johnny　cake。　How　much　you　favor　your　brother　Isaac。　He　used　to　come　and　see　me　often。　So　must　you　in　summertime。　Poor　lad；　I　suppose　he　is　dead　by　this　time。　I　have　seen　so　many　brave　and　good　lads　go。　There　now；　I　did　not　mean　to　make　you　sad；〃　and　the　old　lady　patted　Betty's　hand　and　sighed。

〃He　often　spoke　of　you　and　said　that　I　must　come　with　him　to　see　you。　Now　he　is　gone；〃　said　Betty。

〃Yes；　he　is　gone；　Betty；　but　you　must　not　be　sad　while　you　are　so　young。　Wait　until　you　are　old　like　I　am。　How　long　have　you　known　Lew　Wetzel？〃

〃All　my　life。　He　used　to　carry　me　in